You do not have to visit Hogsmead, the magical village of J.K. Rowling’s imagination, to cozy up with a glass of butterbeer this season. Warm butterscotch forms the base for this “potion” and the spicy ginger notes are sure to have you bewitched. Beer lovers can give this drink an extra kick and a hint of classic beer flavor with a splash of Prosecco, but to me this is a rare instance where the booze-free version somehow tastes a bit more festive. The books of Harry Potter may evoke Halloween, but this spirit tastes like Christmas in a glass and you will want to sip it by the fire all autumn and winter long.

Ingredients

Butterscotch

1/4 cup heavy cream 

1/2 stick, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 

3/4 cups dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon water 

Butterbeer

2 cups unsweetened or fresh squeezed apple juice

1/2 cup fresh squeezed ginger juice

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup ginger beer*

Optional: 1/4 cup Prosecco

Directions

For the butterscotch

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the cream, butter, brown sugar, and water. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F, about 5 to 7 minutes.  Remove from heat and whisk to cool for about 2 minutes until bubbles subside. 

For the butterbeer

Slowly stir in the apple and ginger juices and additional cream to the butterscotch. Return sauce pan to low heat and stir until the butterscotch is completely dissolved.**

Add 1/3 cup apple butterscotch mixture to each mug.  Top with 1/4 cup ginger beer and 1 tablespoon optional Prosecco. Serve

*Chef’s Note – For a good ginger flavor it is important to use a ginger beer that has real ginger in the ingredients. I like either Rachel’s Ginger Beer (original) or Reed’s Extra Ginger Beer.

**Make ahead note – At this point the apple butterscotch mixture can be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat mix vigorously and bring just to a boil in either the microwave or on the stove top then continue with recipe.